Monoline composing-machine.



' W. B. BERTRAM.

. MONOLINE GOMPOSING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1910.

Patented July 11, 1911.

' WITNESSES.-

W. E. BERTRAM. MONOLINE COMPOSING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 13, 1910.

Patented July 11, 1911.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l/Vl/ENTOR WITNESSES:

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH to, \VASlHivGTvl W E. BERTRAM. MONOLINE GOMPOSINGMACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1910.

Patented July 11, 1911.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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W i; g I ATTORNEY W. E. BERTRAM. MONOLINE oomrosme MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 13 1910 1% B w 18 i m VJM NE W m; M A dS MEN IVY-Q) WITNESSES:

COLUMBIA WRAP" 120., WASHINGION, D. C

W. E. BERTRAM.

MONOLINE GOMPOSING MACHINE. APBLIUAIION FILED MAY 13, 1910.

' 997,735. Patented July 11,1911.

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' Patented July 11, 1911.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 13 19 10' Patented July 11,1911.

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W. E. BERTRAM. MONOLINE UOMPOSING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 13,1910.

Patnted July 11', 1911.

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W. E. BERTRAM. MONOLINE GOMPOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13 1910.

Patented July 11, 1911.

INVENTOH William EBB/173712.

me/v5 W. E. BERTRAM. MONOLINE GQMPOSING MACHINE;

11 8HEBTSSHEET 11 .tttalttrtttllxt Patented July 11, 1911.

AIPLIOATION FILED MAY 1.3,1910.

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WILLIAM ERNEST BERTRAM, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HERMANBIDDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MONOLINE GOIVIPOSING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 13, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ERNEST BER- TRAM; a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and Stateof NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in MonolineComposing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in line composing andtype-casting machines and more especially to those of the monoline typeas disclosed in Letters Patent, No. 506,198 granted to W. S. Scudder,October 3, 1893, and it has for its ob ject primarily to provide agenerally improved machine of this type which is adapted and capable ofholding two or more fonts of matrices and which embodies mechanismswhich may be quickly and easily adjusted by the ope 'ator'wherebymatrices from any desired font may be selected and delivered from themagazine and composed and as sembled preparatory to the castingoperation, the construction of the machine and the relative positionsand adjustments of the operative parts enabling all of the opera tionsto be performed or controlled with facility and by the manipulation of asingle or common keyboard.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved composing boxwhich embodies means for arrestingthe matrix bars in such a manner as toprevent rebounding thereof and which also comprises movable wings orsections together with means for quickly opening them to permit a matrixthat has been delivered by mistake to the assembling point to be easilyremoved without disturbing the remainder of the assembled line, meansbeing also provided which is operative automatically by the opening ofthe composing box to retract the detent which holds the assembled lineof matrices.

A. further object of the invention is to provide an improved box forreceiving, and chamber for storing the necessary number of space bandsmeans for feeding the space bands into the assembled line and forreturning the space bands to the storage box or chamber after each cast,the construction and arrangement of the mechanism for handling the spacebands being such that the above operations shall be performed correctlyirrespective of the positions occupied by the relatively shiftable partsof the machine.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements,and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinaftermore fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularlyin the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the majorportion of a monoline composing machine constructed in accordance withmy present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a portion of themachine including the matrix magazine and the space box or chamber, theparts be ing shown in relative shifted position; Fig. 8 represents aside elevation of the machine as viewed from the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 4is a view similar to Fig. 3, the keyboard, however, being removed andparts being shown in section to illustrate more clearly certain featuresof the machine; Fig. 5 represents a section on the line 55 of Fig. 3;Fig. 6 represents a section on the line 66 of Fig. 4 and looking in thedirection of the arrows; Fig. 7 represents a section taken on the line77 of Fig. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 8 is anelevation of a part of the machine as viewed from the left in Fig. l andshowing in detail the devices for returning the space bands to thestorage box or chamber; Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the spacebox with the face plate removed, the two shiftable sections of the spacebox being shown in 00- operative relation in this figure; Fig. 10 is adetail sectional view of the action or mechanism for feeding the spacebands into the assembling line; Fig. 11 represents an enlarged sectionalview on the line 1l*11 of Fig. 10 showing a part of the space-feedingmechanism on an enlarged scale; Fig. 12 is a detail side elevation ofthe composing box, the wings thereof being broken away for clearness inillustration, a matrix is shown delivered into the box, and one of thematrixarresting stops is shown in engagement with the matrix; Fig. 13represents a transverse section through the composing box on the line1313 of Fig. 12, the matrix-arresting stop being shown in retractedposition;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, the matrix-arresting stop,however, being shown in position to receive a matrix; Fig. 15 representsa section through the composing box on the line 1515 of Fig. 12 showingthe lowermost and stationary matrix-arresting stop; Fig. 16 is a detailperspective view of the parts of one of the matrix-arresting stops; Fig.17 is a top plan view of the composing box showing the movable wings andthe means for opening the same; Fig. 18 is a rear elevation of thecomposing box; Fig. 19 represents a section on the line 1919 of Fig. 18showing the means for retracting the detent in the face plate; Fig. 20is a perspective view of the assembling carriage and the alining bar,the parts being shown in detail and on an enlarged scale; Fig. 21 is acollective view showing in perspective the elements of the assemblingbar; Fig. 22 represents a transverse section through the assemblingcarriage and assembling bar and showing the manner in which the lattereooperates with each matrix; Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a portionof the assembling carriage showing in detail the means for tripping thesame and releasing the ,assembled line of matrices; Fig. 2k is a viewsimilar to Fig. 23, the assembling carriage, however, being shown intripped position and out of the path of the assembled line of matrices;Fig. 25 represents a section of the alining bar showing diagrammaticallythe manner in which the same cooperates with each matrix at the castingpoint; Fig. 26 is a perspective view of one of the matrix bars; and Fig.27 is a perspective view of one of the space bands.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in theseveral views.

The present improvements are particularly applicable to line composingand typecasting machines of the monoline type, the principal objects ofthe present invention being to materially increase the capacity ofmonoline machines of the type disclosed in the Scudder patent abovementioned, and to improve the construction of such machines and theoperation thereof. There are, however, certain features of my inventionwhich could be used independently of other features of the machine and,moreover, certain features of the present invention may be found usefulin connection with composing machines of other types. It will thereforebe understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to thecomplete organization shown and, moreover, it is not necessarily limitedto machines of any specific type although, as before stated, it isparticularly useful in connection with machines of the monoline type.

In the present embodiment of the invention, A designates the keyboardthe keys of which are operatively connected to the magazme pawls orgates whereby the matrices may be selected and delivered from themagazine as desired. This keyboard is similar in general to thatdisclosed in detail in the Scudder patent above mentioned, the bail rodsB, however, being prolonged in the present instance. in order that anoperative connection may be maintained between the keyboard and therelatively shiftable matrix-selecting and delivering devices, as willhereinafter appear. The magazine may be similar to that disclosed in theScudder patent it, however, being made larger in the present instanceand divided into a suitable number of channels to accommodate thedifferent kinds of matrices making up a plurality of fonts. While itwill be evident that the machine can be adapted to accommodate severalfonts of matrices, I have shown the machine in the present instance asadapted to accommodate two fonts of matrices, and while the machine asadapted for two fonts of matrices will be described in detail, it willbe understood that the invention is not limited in this respect. Thepresent machine is adapted to operate with the multiple letter matrixbars of the general type disclosed in the Scudder patentand, in thepresent in stance the machine is adapted to receive eight matrix barsfor each font, there consequently being sixteen channels or compartmentsin the magazine C for the storage of two fonts of matrices.

Each channel of the magazine is provided with a magazine pawl D andthese magazine pawls may be similar to those disclosed in the Scudderpatent, except that a supplemental shoulder E is provided on the underside of each magazine pawl and is adapted to be engaged by theoscillator F. This oscillator may be of any suitable construction, itembodying in the presentinstance a frame 1 which is pivoted on an axis 2supported by a bracket 3, and the frame 1 is provided with a rearwardlyprojecting portion 4 having a shaft 5 on which is mounted a volute orcam-shaped gear 6, this cam-shaped gear being normally disengaged froman ordinary spur gear 7 carried by a continuously revolving shaft 8, butwhen the upper portion of the frame 1 of the oscillator is movedrearwardly by the shoulder E on one of the magazine pawls when thelatter is released, the cam-shaped gear 6 will be caused to mesh withthe revolving gear 7 and the latter will operate upon the camshaped gearto shift the upper portion of the oscillator frame 1 forwardly or towardthe left in Figs. 3 and f, thereby causing the oscillator to restore thereleased magazine pawl to normal locked or closed position, the gears 6and 7 automatically disengaging upon the completion of each resettingoperation. Each magazine pawl is provided as usual with a tension spring9 which tends to operate it in a direction to release a matrix bar fromthe respective channel of the mag azine. Each magazine pawl, however, isnormally retained in closed position by a detent 10, there being in thepresent instance sixteen detents which are individual to a correspondingnumber of magazine pawls, and all of these detents may be convenientlymounted upon a common shaft 11.

The magazine together wit-h its pawls and detents is mounted in fixedrelation upon the frame of the machine and upon reference toFigs. 1 and2, it will be observed that one-half Gr of the magazine space is adaptedto contain matrices for one font, while the remaining half H of themagazine space is reserved for matrices of a second font, and in orderthat matrices may be selected and delivered from either one of thesections of the magazine from the single or common keyboard A, thepresent invention provides a shiftable mechanism between the keyboardand the magazine which includes detent 1e vers which are adapted to bepositioned in operative relation with the detents for the magazine pawlswhich deliver matrices from one or another font, and such mechanism willbe hereinafter described in detail.

Matrix bars similar to those disclosed in the above-mentioned Scudderpatent may be used in connection with the present machine, each barbeing provided on one edge with a series of twelve characters a whilethe opposite edge of the bar which coeperates first with an assemblingbar and subsequently with an alining bar is provided with acorresponding series of notches 6. These notches are all of uniform sizeand their upper and lower walls are spaced a distance correspondingprecisely to the thickness of the cooperating alining bar whereby thelatter may retain the assembled line of matrices with their charactersin accurate alinement during the casting operation. In order to maintain a precisely correct fit of these notches Z) of the matrices uponthe alining bar, I provide an improved construction for the matrix harwhereby all wear is relieved from those surfaces of the notches 7) whichcooperate with the alining bar. This result is accomplished by slopingthe inner wall of each notch inwardly toward its upper end and extendingit upwardly beyond the upper wall of the corresponding notch to form arounded pocket or recess 0 which receives a correspondingly shaped ribon the assembling rail as will be hereinafter described. Another noveland advantageous feature in the construction of the matrix bar involvesthe provision of a recess (Z in the bottom thereof and a hook e whichunderhangs the recess (Z and is beveled at f to form a latch which isadapted to cooperate with the arresting stop and thereby preventrebounding as the matrices drop into assembling position. Theconstruction of the matrix bar is shown clearly in Fig. 26.

The space bands may be similar to those disclosed in the Scudder patentabove mentioned, but I prefer to provide each space band with a roundedundercut recess or pocket 9 beneath the lug 7L thereon, and this roundedrecess or pocket is also adapted to travel along a correspondinglyshaped rib on the assembling rail as will be hereinafter described.

As previously indicated, the group G comprising the first eight channelsat the left of the magazine is adapted to contain matrices of one fontwhile the group H includes the remaining eight channels toward the rightof the magazine to contain the matrices of a second font, and thepresent invention provides simple and eflicient mechanism foroperatively connecting the single or common keyboard A with eithersection of the magazine and, moreover, the change from one font toanother can be made quickly and without the necessity of removing orsubstituting any parts of the machine. In order to provide a relativelysimple and efficient mechanism for accomplishing these results, I mountcertain operative elements of the machine on a horizontally shiftablecarrier 12 which in the present instance is in the form of a plate andis mounted to slide on suitable cooperating guides 13. This shiftablecarrier 12 and its guides are preferably arranged in a depression in thetop surface of the main stationary frame 14 of the machine, the top ofthe shiftable carrier 12 being preferably flush or substantially so withthe top surface of the machine frame, as shown in Figs. 4-, 6 and 7.This shiftable carrier 12 carries the detent levers which serve torelease the detents for the magazine pawls and for this purpose, abracket 15 ,is mounted in fixed relation on the shiftable carrier, andthis bracket supports a shaft 16 on which a set of eight detent levers17 are mounted. The upper ends of the detent levers are extendedforwardly and rounded as at 18 so as to engage and properly release therespective detents 10. The lower end of each detent lever is providedwith a rounded or otherwise suitably formed head 19 and cooperates witha slot 20 of the respective actuating bar 21, one of these actuatingbars being provided for each detent lever, and the bars 21 are guided toreciprocate in slotted blocks 22 and 23 which. are fixed to theshiftable carrier 12. These bars 21 are provided on their under sideswith lugs 24 and the bail rods B cooperate with such lugs so that when akey of the keyboard is depressed, it rocks forwardly its respective bailrod and the bail rod so operated acts upon the lug 2st of its respectiveactuating bar 21 and the latter in turn acts upon the correspondingdetent lever which lever serves to trip its respec tive detent,permitting the corresponding magazine pawl to be released. The magazinepawl will then be retracted under the action of its spring 9, therebyreleasing the selected matrix, and the matrix so released drops bygravity into the composing box. The magazine pawl so released isimmediately returned to its normal locked posi' tion by the oscillatoras previously described.

The bail rods B are prolonged as previously stated for the purpose ofmaintaining an operative relation with the actuating bars 21irrespective of the position of the carrier 12, the bars 21 beingshiftable with the carrier. Each detent lever and its correspondingactuating bar after performing the operation above described is returnedto and held in inoperative position by a plunger 25 which is acted on bya spring 26, and such plungers and their cooperative springs aresupported relatively to the detent levers by a bracket 27 which is fixedto the bracket 15 on the shiftable carrier. These springpressed plungersmoreover remain in engagement with the respective detent levers andthereby prevent vibration of the parts during the operation of themachine. The oscillator F for resetting the magazine pawls is mounted onand movable with the shiftable carrier as shown in Fig. l. The shiftablecarrier also supports and carries with it a space box together withmechanism for delivering the space bands to the assembling line, thecomposing box and its related parts, and the carrier is also attached toa section of the alining bar and the assembling carriage.

According to the present invention, the space box is divided into twosections, one section of which is carried by and movable with theshiftable carrier, while the other section of the space box is mountedin stationary relation upon a relatively fixed part of the machineframe. When the shiftable carrier occupies oneposition, these sectionsof the space box are united as a single unit, but when the carrier isshifted so as to bring a second font of matrices into use, that sectionof the space box which is mounted on and movable with the carrier formsin itself a storage chamber to contain the necessary number of spacersor space bands. That section of the space box which is movable with thecarrier is composed in part of an upright plate 28 which is rigidlyattached at 31 to the carrier and forms the rear face of the space box.The upper portion of this plate 28 carries a lug 29, the purpose ofwhich will be hereinafter described. To this lug 29 is fastened a plate30 which is arranged at right angles to the plate 28 and forms the innerend of the space box. The

i plate 30 is connected at its upper end to the rear side of thecomposing box 32 while the lower portion of the composing box isfastened to a face plate 33 for the space box. This face plate 33 forthe space box is fastened at 34: to the shiftable carrier the upperportion of the face plate being secured to the plate 28 by screws 35which may be connected to the lug 29. Consequently, when the carrier isshifted, the face plate for the space box and also one section of thespace box will move with the carrier.

The composing box 32 may be similar in its general construction andprinciple of operation to that disclosed in the patent aforesaid, this"composing box according to the present invention forming a receiver forthe matrices as they are selected and released from the magazine. Thetop of the box may beprovided with a guard 36 to guide the matrices soas to insure their proper entrance into the composing box. The composingbox also embodies a pair of opposed wings 3'? which are mounted to swingon centers 38 in order to permit the box to be opened and closed. Thecomposing box is provided as in the patent with a plunger 38, thisplunger being operative to open the composing box and to eject thematrix therefrom in the manner shown and described in said patent.

The composing box is provided with a set of arresting stops whichcorrespond in number to the number of characters borne by each multipleletter matrix bar, and these stops are suitably actuated by the keyboardat the same time the matrix is selected and released from the magazine,the function of the arresting stop being to engage the falling matrixand arrest it at an elevation that will bring the desired characterthereon into position for the subsequent casting operation. Thematrix-arresting stops are provided for this purpose with a set ofactuating bars 39. These bars 39 are actuated or set appropriately bythe keyboard and they in turn operate to set the corresponding arrestingstops in the path of the descending matrix. The matrix-arrestingstops'are arranged in superposed relation in the rear wall 4:0 of thecomposing box, this rear wall 40 being slotted as at 41 to receive anumber of arresting stops corresponding to the number of characters onthe matrix bar. The arresting stops are in the form of blades 43 whichmay all be conveniently pivoted on a common center 42, and each blade isprovided with an arm 44L which extends latorally through the slots inthe composing box and are provided each with a pair of opposedprojections 4-5 and 46 which are disposed at corresponding sides of theactuating bar 39. Each blade 43 forming partof an arresting stop isprovided with a recess 43 and this recess contains a pawl 4-8 one end ofwhich may be formed circular so as to movably fit within the blade 43,and a compression spring 49 is fitted into one wall of the recess 4E3and bears upon the pawl 48 with a yielding pressure. One of the uppercorners of the pawl 48 is beveled as at 48, and this beveled portion ofthe pawl is adapted to be engaged by the bev-- eled surface 7 on thefoot of each matrix, when the pawl is set in the path of the descendingmatrix.

The actuating bars 39 for the matrixarresting stops are in the presentinstance located in rear of the composing box and when these bars arepressed forwardly, they come in contact with the projections 45 on therespective stops and thereby shift the pawls 4:8 'into the path of thedescending matrices. When these bars 39 are moved rearwardly, theycooperate with the projections 46 and thereby return the'stops to normalinoperative position. Fig. 13 indicates the normal position of eachstop, whi e Fig. 1a shows one of the stops in position to cooperate witha descending matrix bar. The lowermost stop, however, which is shown in15 may remain in the path of the descending matrix at all times and forthis reason it is unnecessary to provide an actuating bar.

The actuating bars 39 are all reset. or re turned to normal position bya draw bar 39 which is placed at the extreme right hand side of thekeyboard, this draw bar 39 being supplemental to those forming part ofthe keyboard proper, and it is operated by a supplemental bail rod 39This supplemental bail rod 39 is operatively connected to a link 39which is guided to slide on the shiftable carrier 12 and it is connectedby a link 39 to a pin 39 attached to the lower end of the oscillator F.The forward end of the supplemental draw bar 39" is forked or formedinto a yoke 39 which straddles the super-' posed actuating bars 39 andthe forward ends of the arms of the fork or yoke 39 contain between thema roller 39 which is arranged in front of the actuating bars 39. Owingto the operative connection between the supplemental draw bar 39 and theoscil lator, each operation Of the oscillator will draw the roller 39rearwardly, therebycausing all of the actuating bars 39 to besimultaneously reset.

Each pawl 48 is capable of an independent movement in one directionwithin the blade of the respective matrix-arresting stop. eonsequently,when one of the arresting stops is operated by its respective bar 39 soas to occupy a position in the path of a descending matrix bar, the endof this pawl as will enter the recess (Z in the bot-tom of therespective matrix bar, while the beveled surface 4C8 on the pawl willcooperate with the beveled surface f on the hook e of the matrix, Thepawl 48 will be thereby deflected so as to permit the hook a to pass itwhereupon the pawl 48 of the arresting stop will be immediately sprunginto the space above the hook e by its spring 49 with a the result thatthe matrix bar is arrested at the proper elevation in its descent andwithout any possibility of its rebounding. While the pawl of thelowermost matrix-arresting stop remains at all times in the path of thedescending matrices, the pawl nevertheless is capable of an independentmovement which will permit it to have a latching engagement with thehook 011 the bottom of the matrix bar and thereby prevent rebounding ofthe matrix bar as in the previous instance.

The reciprocatory plunger 38 serves to remove the matrix barssuccessively from the composing or assembling box and to transfer themsuccessively upon the assembling bar. This plunger operates in a mannersimilar to that disclosed in the aforesaid patent although forconvenience it reciprocates in the present instance through a slot inthe rear wall of the composing box and it is operatively connected to abell-crank lever 50, and this bell-crank lever in turn is actuated bythe link 50 at each operation of the oscillator, this link 50 beingpivotally connected to the lower portion of the oscillator frame forthis purpose.

The present invention provides means whereby the composing box may bereadily opened in order to enable a matrix bar to be removed in suchcases, for instance, as when a mistake has been made in the selection ofthe matrix bar. As previously stated, the wings 37 of the composing boxare pivoted on the centers 38, and I provide a simple and eflicientdevice for simultaneously opening both wings. In the present instance,the wings are prolonged beyond the pivotal centers 38 to form the arms51, and a pair of studs or projections 52 are fixed upon these arms. Abracket 53 is fixed to the body portion of the composing box andsupports a pivoted retracting device 54. This retracting device may bein the form of a lever as shown, it being provided with a pair ofreversely arranged slots 55 which are eccentric to the pivotal axis 56of the retracting device, thereby forming cam surfaces which actsimultaneously upon the studs or projections 52 on the wings and therebyopen the latter as the retracting device is turned about its pivot. Thewings of the composing box will be thereby opened and held in openposition to enable the matrix bar to be conveniently removed and whenthe position of the retracting device is reversed, the wings of thecomposing box will close.

The retracting device is provided with an extension 57 which forms ahandle to facilitate its manipulation. In order to limit the movement ofthe retracting device, I preferably provide a stud 64 on the bracket 58which is adapted to cooperate with either of a pair of shoulders 65 and66 which are formed in the retracting device adjacent to its center.These shoulders serve to limit the pivotal movement of the retractingdevice in both directions. The present invention also provides means forautomatically retracting the detent which holds the assembling line ofmatrix bars when the wings of the composing box are opened. Any suitableconnections between the wing-opening means and'the detent may beemployed for this purpose. In the present instance, I provide one end ofthe wing-retracting device 5% wit-h an extension 58 which is adapted tocooperate with the forked end 59 of a lever 60, the latter being pivotedupon the body portion of the composing box at 61 and its opposite endcooperates with a rod 62, the latter extending through a slot 40 in thewall 4-0 of the composing box and its end is adapted to cooperate withthe beveled surface of the detent 63, the latter being pivoted in theface plate N. This springpressed detent 68 serves to retain theassembling line of matrix bars in proper position on the assemblingrail. Then, however, this detent is retracted by the rod 62, it releasesthe rearmost matrix bar in the line and thereby permits the same to bereadily removed.

The mechanism for feeding the space hands into the assembling line isalso carried by and shiftable with the carrier 12, and in order tomaintain a suitable supply of space bands for the feeding mechanism whenthe carrier is in shifted position, a section of the space box is alsoshiftable with the carrier as previously stated. The space bands are fedto the assembling line through a slot or opening 69 which is locatedbetween the discharge end of the composing box and the face plate N asshown in detail in Figs. 18 and 19. The space bands as shown in Fig. 27are provided with hooks 2' by means of which they are suspended in thespace box, preparatory to being delivered to the assembling line. Onesection of the space box is formed in part by the plate 28 which isrigidly attached to and shiftable with the carrier 12. The face plate Nwhich closes the forward side of the space box is also rigidly attachedto and shiftable with the carrier. The plate 28 is provided with asloping rail 67 which is adapted to cooperate wit-h the hooks andthereby sus pend the same in position ready to be fed one at a time intothe assembling line when needed, the sloping arrangement of the railcausing the spacers to be fed successively into a posit-ion in alinementwith the slot 69 by gravity. This slot, however, is normally closed by agate 70 which also serves to present a smooth or uninterruptedconnection between the composing box and the face plate l so that therewill be no obstruction to the passage of the matrix bars. This gate isshown in detail in Fig. 11, it consisting of a plate which is normallypressed yieldingly into a position to close the space feeding slot 69 bya spring-pressed plunger 78, and the rear edge of this plate is beveledat 70 to form an inclined surface for the engagement of the space bandwhereby the latter may deflect the gate 70 and thereby open it to permitthe space band to be introduced into the assembling line. The gate 70 isalso provided with a suitable number of tongues 70 which operate inrecesses 70 formed in the adjacent surface of the face plate N, theforward surface of the gate and its tongues being flush with the surfaceof the face plate and the tongues serving to bridge the space betweenthe face plate and gate. This gate 70 prevents the foremost spacer fromfalling forward or from being thrown out or displaced while beingdelivered, it cooperating wit-h the forward edge of the space band andthereby causing the same to be fed in upright position into theassembling line, the frictional contact produced between the gate andthe spacer causing the spacer to remain in proper contact with the spaceejector. This space ejector in the present instance is in theform of ablade 71 (Fig. 10) which operates through a slot 72 formed between thewall 28 of the space box and the abutment wall 30 which serves to arrestthe spacers while descending the sloping rail 67. This ejector blade 71is carried by a bar 7 3, the bar being guided to reciprocate in a slotin the comb block 22 at its forward end and in a comb block 74 towardits rear end.

The upper side of the bar 7 3 is provided with a lug 75, and a tensionspring 76 is at tached at one end to this lug and at its opposite end itis attached to the relatively stationary comb block 22, this springacting to throw the bar 73 and also the blade 71 forward to introduce aspace band into the assembling line. A lug 77 is formed on the underside of the bar 73 and is adapted to abut against the comb block 22 andthereby limit the forward motion of the space ejector. The spaceejector, however, is normally held in retracted or inoperative positionby a latch which is under the control of a suitable key on the keyboard.This latch in the present instance consists of a shoulder which isformed by a notch 78 in the under side of the bar 73 and acorrespondingly shaped detent 79 formed on one arm of a bellcrank lever80, the latter being pivoted to a suitable part on the carrier 12 at 91.lNhen the space ejector is retracted, the detent 79 snaps into the notch78 in the bar 73 and thereby retains'the ejector in such position untilit is released from the keyboard whereupon the ejector flies forwardunder the action of the spring 76.

The space ejector may be conveniently retracted or reset after eachoperation by the oscillator which resets the magazine pawls. For thispurpose, the rear end of the bar 73 is provided with an upturnedprojection 81 which is placed in rear of a roller or projection 85attached to a lever 84:, the latter extending through a slot 83 formedin the shiftable carrier 12 and is rotatable about a pivot 82 fixed tothe carrier as shown in Fig. 10. The lever 84 is provided with a springfor returning it to normal position, the upper end of the lever 84having a hook 87 formed thereon, and a tension spring 89 is insertedbetween this hook 87 on the arm and an eye 88 attached to the bracket 15on the shiftable carrier. The lower portion of the frame 1 of theoscillator is provided with a roller 90 and the forward side of thelever 84 bears against this roller 90 under the action of the spring 89.A releasing of the bar 73 due to a rocking movement of the bell-cranklever will permit the bar 73 and the blade 71 attached thereto to moveforward and thereby introduce a space band into the assembling line. Theforward motion of the bar 73 will also cause the upturned projection 81on the end thereof to strike the roller or projection on the lever 84,the latter being thereby shifted forward and due to its engagement withthe roller on the oscillator, the latter will be tilted to set theeccentric gear 6 thereon into operation and the bar 73 will be reset inretracted position.

The operation of the space ejector is under the control of a key of thekeyboard. Any suitable operative connection between the parts may beprovided for accomplishing this result. In the present instance, Iprovide a blade 93, which is located below the shiftable carrier 12 andis carried by a shaft 9st which is journaled in suitable bearingbrackets which latter are secured rigidly to a part of the fixed ornonanovable frame of the machine. The bell-crank 80 is normally held inlocked position and in contact with the blade 93 by a spring 96 suitablyhoused in the bracket 15 which is fixed to the shiftable carrier. Theshaft 94: is provided with a crank arm 98 and a link 99 is connected to.the crank. This link is preferably sunk in a recess 100 formed in theface of the frame so as to present a smooth or unobstructed surface tofacilitate the application of the keyboard. The lower end. of the link99 is attached at 101 to a lever 102, and this lever 102 is providedwith a suitable key which forms a part of the keyboard. From theforegoing description, it will be obvious that it is only necessary forthe operator to depress the key on the lever 102 to perform theoperation of feeding a space band to the assembling line, the spacefeeding mechanism being auto matically reset. When the blade 71 of thespace feeding mechanism is retracted after delivering a space band tothe assembling line, the foremost space band suspended on the slopingrail 67 will move into a position in front of the blade and in readinessto be introduced into the assembling line upon the next operation of theblade. The spring 89 serves to hold the oscillator as well as the lever84 in normal position. In order that the tripping blade 93 of thespacing mechanism may remain in operative relation with the bell-cranklever 80 irrespective of the position occupied by the shiftable carrier,this blade is elongated in the direction of the shifting movement of thecarrier.

According to the present invention, the operation of the space feedingmechanism also effects the automatic operation of the means forreturning the space bands to the space box. In the present instance, theblade 71 of the spacing mechanism is provided with a rearwardlyextending arm 103 such arm carrying a laterally extending rod we asshown in Figs. 5 and 10. This rod is straddled by the forked end 105 ofan arm 106 forming part of a bell-crank lever, this bell-crank leverbeing pivoted at 107 upon lugs 108 supported by a stationary bracket100, and the other arm 110 of the bell-crank lever extends through aslot formed in the casing 111 closing the upper portion of the space boxand is pivotally connected to a link 112. The upper end of the link 112is pivotally connected to a lever 113, this lever being pivoted at 114;to the casing 111, and the opposite end of the lever 113 is providedwith a rounded head 115 which operates in a forked socket 116 formed ina slidable block 117. This block may be guided to slide vertically inany suitable manner, it being slotted at 118 in the present instance andprovided with screws 119 which operate in such slots and thereby guidethe block for vertical rectilinear movement. The block 117 carries anarm 120, a portion of this arm being ex tended downwardly and forming apresser foot 121. The space bands are returned to the space box by awire or rail, 122, this rail terminating just below the adjacent face ofthe presser foot 121. Any space bands that may accumulate on the wire122 which slopes downwardly toward its interrupted end are retained by afinger 123, this finger having its lower portion curved laterally so asto bear endwise against the end of the wire or rail 122, and this fingeris pivoted at to the plate or casing 111, a spring 125 acting toyieldably press the finger against the discharge end of the rail or wire122. The arm which is attached to the vertically slidable block 117 andwhich carries the presser foot 121 is curved or bent so as to clear theretaining finger. Below the retaining finger 123 is formed an inclinedchute 126 which leads into the rear stationary section of the space box,this chute being preferably formed as a part of the plate or casing 111and it has an extension 12'. leading from apoint immediately below theretainingfinger. A curved guard 128 is also preferably formed as a partof the chute, the guard serving to direct the lower ends of the spacebands so that they will enter the chute 126 with certainty when releasedfrom the retaining finger.

In operation, when the space bands are returned from the casting pointand are elevated by the distributer, they gravitate along the rail 122,the foremost space band hanging by its hook upon the curved lower end ofthe retaining finger 123 and with its hook immediately below the presserfoot 121 which is normally in elevated position. At each. deliverymovement of the feeding blade, however, the link 112 will be raised,causing the slide block 117 to descend, thereby carrying the presserfoot 121 into engagement with the hook on the top of the foremost spaceband hanging upon the curved lower end of the finger 123, and thepressure thus produced upon the foremost space band will overcome theaction of the spring 125, thereby causing the retaining finger to bedeflected so as to release its hold upon the space band and the latterwill then drop by gravity into the chute 126. Immediately upon thedropping of the space band, the spring-pressed retaining finger 123 willreturn to normal position to catch the next space band 011 the rail 122and when the space feeding mechanism is restored to normal position bythe oscillator, the presser foot 121 will rise and will be in positionto engage and introduce the next space band into the space box. In thismanner, a proper supply of space bands is maintained in the space box atall times, one space band being introduced into the space box each timea space band is delivered into the assembling line. In order to assistthe operation of the presser foot in introduc ing a space band into thespace box, a tension spring 129 may be attached to the lever 113. thisspring, however, being normally held from operation by the detent whichholds the space feeding blade 71 in retracted position.

Each space band as it drops into the chute 126 enters the rearstationary section of the space box, this section of the space box beingclosed at one side by a plate 141 which is fixed to the stationary partof the ma chine frame, also by a plate 142 which forms a substantialcontinuation of one wall of the chute 126 and by the face plate N whichis attached to and shiftable with the carrier. The wall 142 forming partof the rear section of the space box is provided with a downwardlyinclined lug 143 which is adapted to engage the lug h on the space bandand thereby deflect the upper portion of the space band into a positionto cause its hook i to engage an inclined rail 144 which is fixed to thestationary plate 141 and forms a continuation of the rail 67 on theshiftable plate 28 when the shiftable carrier is in normal ornon-shifted position. When the rails 67 and 144 are in alinement, asshown in Fig. 9, the space bands as they are returned to the space boxmay descend by gravity along the rail 144 and are then transferred tothe rail 67. \Vhen, however, the carrier and the mechanism carriedtherebv is shifted, the rail 144 is disconnected from the rail (37, asshown in Fig. 2, the rail 67 which is attached to the movable plate 28forming one section of the space box which travels with the carrier andit is adapted to contain the necessary number of space bands. Accordingto the present invention, I provide an automatically operative devicefor holding back the space bands as they accumulate upon the stationaryrail 144 when the carrier is in shifted position and to release thespace bands thus accumulated and permit them to pass upon the rail 67when the carrier and its operative parts are returned to normal ornon-shifted position. This device in the present instance consists of adetent 145 which is pivoted at 146 to a part of the stationary plate141, and the operative end of the detent is held down upon the rail 144by a spring 147. The detent is also provided with a depending shoulder148 which is adapted to be engaged by the block 29 which is shiftablewith the plate 28. lVhile the carrier and its associated parts are innormal or nonshifted position, the two sections of the space box areunited and the block 29 will cooperate with the shoulder 148 on thedetentand will thereby hold the latter in an inoperative position and,consequently, the space bands may be transferred freely from thestationary rail 144 to the shiftable rail 67. When, however, the carrierand its associated parts are shifted, the block 29 which is movabletherewith will disengage from the shoulder 148 on the detent and thelatter will be thereby permitted to move into engagement with the lowerend of the stationary rail 144 so as to hold back the space bands asthey accumulate thereon.

Any suitable means may be provided for shifting the carrier and itsassociated parts whereby matrices may be selected and delivered fromeach section of the magazine. In the present instance, the under side ofthe shiftable carrier is provided with lugs 130, links 131 are pivotallyconnected to such lugs, and these links in turn are pivotally connectedto a pair of arms 132 which are fixed to a rock shaft 133. The forwardend 01' this rock shaft may be journaled in the forward part of themachine frame, and a bearing 134 may be provided for the rear end ofthis shaft. Obviously, the carrier and its associated mechanisms will beshifted longitudinally upon the guide rails 13 by a rocking movement ofthe shaft 133. In order to facilitate the shifting operation of thecarrier by the operator, I provide the rock shaft with a handle 135which is adjacent to the keyboard, as shown in Fig. 1. Any suitablemeans may be provided for locking the shaft 133 and the carrier ineither position. In the present instance, I provide a clutch whichconsists of a ring 136 which is splincd to the shaft 133 and providedwith a tooth or projection 137 which is adapted to engage one or anotherof the notches 138 formed in a boss 139 on the machine frame. The ring136 is engaged and disengaged with the notches in the boss by a shiftingmovement thereof in a direction axially of the shaft. In the presentinstance, a link 140 is connected to the ring 136 and it is operativelyconnected to a grip 140, this grip being pivotally connected to thehandle 135 by means of which the shaft is rotated to shift the carrier.

The matrices are ejected laterally from the composing box and toward theleft in Fig. 1 whereupon they pass the springpressed d-etent 63 and theface plate N and the detent 149 below the assembling rail, the matricesbeing first assembled on the as sembling rail by means of an assemblingcarriage and are thereupon transferred to an alining bar at which pointthe casting operation takes place in a manner similar to that disclosedin the patent above mentioned. In the present instance, I provide anassembling bar P one end of which is attached to the composing box by alug 152 whereby the same may shift with the composing box and therebyremain in operative relation therewith irrespective of whether thecarrier is in normal or shifted position. That edge of the assemblingbar which cooperates with the matrix bars is provided with an upturnedrounded rib 153 which corresponds in shape to and is adapted to engagein the pocket or rounded recess 0 formed in the matrix bar. This rib 153thereby supports the matrix bars on the surface provided by the pocketor recess 0 and in this way, wear upon the upper and lower surfaces ofthe notches Z) in the matrix bars is avoided. The assembling rail P isslidably supported on a bar 154, it being provided with longitudinalslots 155 which are adapted to coijperate with screws so that theslidable assembling bar will maintain a proper relation with the aliningbar and related mechanism. Furthermore, the under side of the slidableassembling bar P is undercut or grooved as at 157 so as to rest upon thetop of the bar 154, and a flange 156 on the under side of the slidablebar P is seated in a rabbet 156 formed in the top of the bar 154. Thatportion of the assembling bar whichenters the notch b in the matrix issmaller than the notch so that it does not touch the upper or lower wallthereof, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 22, the upturned rounded rib153 serving as the riding surface for the matrices. The rounded rib 153on the rail P also extends into the composing box a suflicient distanceto receive the matrices therefrom. On the upper surface ofthe-assembling bar P is fastened one end of the plate 159, this plateextending the full length of the assembling bar and nearly to thecasting point, and on this plate is mounted a carriage Q1 which isoperated during the assembling of a line of matrices. In the presentinstance, the plate 159 is provided with a pair of bearing brackets 166and 161 which support between them a tube 162, and a ring 163 is mountedto slide longitudinally and to rotate upon the tube. This ring 163 isprovided with a finger 164 the end of which is downturned and is adaptedto occupy a position immediately beside the curved rib 1.53 during theassembling of-the line of matrices. The ring 163 is also provided with areleasing shoulder 165. A pin 166 is also attached to the ring 163 andextends through a slot 167 which extends longitudinally of the tube 162.A coiled compression spring 168 is contained within the tube 162 andbears against the pin 166 in such a way that the finger 164 on the ringwill yield ably resist the movement of the matrices during theassembling operation. A spring 169 also surrounds the tube 162, one endof this spring being attached to the tube while its opposite end isattached to the bearing bracket 161. This spring normally acts to turnthe tube 162 in a direction to lift the finger 164 and thereby releasean assembled line of matrices. A device, however, is provided fornormally resisting the action of the spring 169 and for retaining thefinger 164 in the line of movement of the matrices, this retainingdevice being automatically tripped by the shoulder 165 on the ring 163when a line of matrices of the proper length has been assembled. In thepresent instance, the shiftable assembling rail P carries a rib 170 towhich a bracket 171 is clamped by a screw 172. The bracket 171 carries apawl 173 which has a projection 173 which depends into the longitudinalslot 167 in the tube and thereby serves to retain the finger 164 in thepath of the assembling line of

